I consider how little man is, yet, in his own mind, how great. He is lord and master of all things, yet scarce can command anything.

Prudence is a quality incompatible with vice, and can never be effectively enlisted in its cause.

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.

To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.

Falsehood and delusion are allowed in no case whatever; but, as in the exercise of all the virtues, there is an economy of truth. It is a sort of temperance, by which a man speaks truth with measure, that he may speak it the longer.

All human laws are, properly speaking, only declaratory; they may alter the mode and application, but have no power over the substance of original justice.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver; and adulation is not of more service to the people than to kings.